The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

SMITHY: Referees rule, okay?

23rd April, 2014
Advertisement
The all-too common site of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves getting attention from the referees. (AAP Image/Action Photographics, Renee McKay)
Expert
23rd April, 2014
81
1258 Reads

Here we go again. Round 7 and the howling about matches being decided by poor decisions is loud and long. The Cowboys have gone so far as to collect their ‘wrongs’ into a long list to ensure everyone knows how badly they have been treated.

Does anyone feel like trotting out that tired old line about things evening themselves out in the long run? Who keeps count and how long is that long run?

To read more Brian Smith, outside The Roar, check out his website SmithySpeaks.

The obvious ridiculous aspect of that tired and inaccurate platitude should be making sure everyone responsible for the officiating of matches get this mess sorted.

But how big a mess is it really?

I watched the ‘no try’ ruling against Sisa Waqa in Storm’s loss at Canberra. I watched it over and over again and can’t work out how those commentators on Channel 9 got so heated in analysis of the decision.

From what we saw on TV, I can say it looked to me more like a try than not, just as they did.

However, the look that we viewers got did not give certainty by any means. None of the angles Channel 9 gave were similar to those of the touch judge or two on-field refs, which led them to believe it (probably) was not a try.

Advertisement

How Wally Lewis and the others formed such a strong opinion I am unsure. The strength of their criticism, on the back of previous attacks on officials, just about broke the dam of abuse. In my opinion it was unjust and out of order.

At the core of the problem is the Daniel Anderson Rule; the one he instituted demanding that any video ref intervention can only occur after the referee indicates his opinion – ‘try’ or ‘no try’.

How about the option of ‘I have no idea’?

I think the Waqa incident is one of those where the on-field referees could not offer an informed or accurate opinion. There are quite a few occurring where forcing that opinion is then handcuffing the video ref.

Where limited angles like Channel 9 provided on this no try, no one can be 100 per cent certain, but at least some of these instances would be best decided by the video ref not having to prove the referee’s call wrong.

Why does the ref have to make a decision that could turn out to be wrong when the video ref sees it? If they really don’t know they should say so and not make it up.

The other NRL action that should be taken is for the referees’ management to show and explain publicly those instances where there is no definitive footage and explain why they took the decision made.

Advertisement

Telling us all that there are some calls that cannot be 100 per cent proven might take some guts but it’s better than pretending.

Other decisions that have been proved to be incorrect in the video box should also be attended to publicly but much more quickly. So too should those that are made correctly but draw contentious argument in the media or clubs opinions. Deliver the verdict strongly and ASAP.

I think they could even keep a table of just how many great decisions are made to counteract the hammering they are receiving.

Likewise some of the calls made by those of us who offer opinions could also be used by NRL officials to highlight the craziness that must make the match and video officials feel like its duck season again!

One such call came in Round 7 where an obvious high tackle had been committed. The commentator suggested that an explanation needed to be offered for why a penalty had been awarded because the ball carrier was carrying the ball high. Thankfully one of his team pointed out that you can’t make high contact anyway!

There are repeated fault-finding and demeaning attacks on the NRL’s systems, the individuals and crews dealing with the difficult decisions our sport presents, and the rule-makers ensuring our sport both entertains crowds and takes care of those who play it. This leads to too much negativity.

Everyone expects high standards of professional referees.

Advertisement

It’s time we all recognise when we get it, which is regularly. It’s also time for those in charge to take decisive steps when we don’t.

close